I am sorta mixed on this, as long as they add new classes that you have to level later on I am fine with it going this way. If they have no plan on implementing new class (that you have to level) I will be pissed.

I am not that mad because how I play the classes already with specialized builds for groups.

I mean on Gladiator now I play it almost like pld. Voke, Shield skills to negate dmg, feather foot and stuff to blink crap, defensive cross class buffs ect. Will PLD at 50 instantly really be that different. Maby get more defensive traits at the expense of all Glads capabilities to deal some dmg as well.

Will what ever mage that becomes whm lose all their offensive abilities and just get stronger healing and support stuff.

I do not think the advanced jobs will be much different then a specialized build atm on an existing class, except it basically defines it for you with better stuff to help it. Giving up the ability to be versatile on a class to be specialized at a specific roll.

At least that is what I got from the news and what not.